Gold Coast

Travel Guide

Gold Coast
Coolangatta featuring general coastal views, a city and a high-rise building
Gold Coast
Gold Coast
Gold Coast

Gold Coast Travel Guide Video

For a break in the sun, head to this expansive city: the perfect combination of beaches, theme parks, nightlife, rain forests and mountains.

With its casinos, Jet Skis, yachts and luxury hotels, the Gold Coast looks like it’s straight out of a James Bond movie. Australia’s major theme parks are all here, and the quieter hinterland offers rock climbing, scenic flights and skydiving for thrill seekers. It’s easy to see why millions of visitors flock to the Gold Coast every year: There are more than 30 beaches, includingBurleigh Beach, where professional surfers come to compete in February, as well as great shopping and dining.

The Gold Coast encompasses several seaside towns inhabited by over half a million people, making this Australia’s sixth-largest city. The area covers 1,400 square kilometers (541 square miles) from Beenleigh, south of the Queensland capital Brisbane, toCoolangatta Beachat the New South Wales border.

The first Australians, the Aborigines, called this beautiful land of the sun Kurrungul. Europeans settled here, growing and commercialising the area, from the mid-1800s onwards. Tourism boomed in the 1950s, and the golden opportunity to invest in real estate gave the city its name and its skyline.

Some of Australia’s most famous beaches are on the Gold Coast. Two surfing hot spots areBurleigh BeachandSurfers Paradise Beach, an area that’s also popular for shopping and dining. Families looking for a good swimming area will enjoy the calmer waters ofCoolangatta Beach.

More family fun awaits at the Gold Coast’s wide range of amusement parks. Interact with marine creatures atSea World, slide throughWet‘n’Wild Water World, or board the superhero rides atMovie World. You can do all this and more at the biggest Australian theme park,Dreamworld.

The Gold Coast offers year-round entertainment, but you may want to avoid the rowdy “Schoolies” period (when high school graduates celebrate) in November. The weather is hot and humid from December to February (summer), and dry and sunny from June to August (winter). Rain or shine, pack your bathers to enjoy one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations.

Where to stay in Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise showing a city, a sunset and a sandy beach

Surfers Paradise

Cavill Avenue and Home of the Arts are a few top attractions in Surfers Paradise. Hop around the city on the metro at Cypress Avenue Station or Florida Gardens station and check out the area's stunning beaches, luxurious spas and popular shops.

Surfers Paradise
Broadbeach which includes a sandy beach, a high-rise building and skyline

Broadbeach

The stunning beaches, first-class casinos and popular shops are notable features of Broadbeach. Make a stop by The Oasis or The Star Gold Coast while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Broadbeach South Light Rail Station to get around town.

Broadbeach
Coolangatta which includes a high-rise building, a sunset and general coastal views

Coolangatta

The stunning beaches and popular shops are just a few highlights of Coolangatta. Make a stop by Kirra Beach or Coolangatta Beach while you're exploring the area.

Coolangatta
Burleigh Beach showing a high-rise building, city views and general coastal views

Burleigh Heads

A noteworthy feature of Burleigh Heads is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Burleigh Beach and Burleigh Head National Park.

Burleigh Heads
Main Beach featuring general coastal views, a skyscraper and a sandy beach

Southport

Beaches, spas and theme parks are some highlights of Southport. Make a stop by Australia Fair Shopping Centre or Gold Coast Aquatic Centre while you're exploring.

Southport
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Palm Beach

Palm Beach is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Tallebudgera Creek and Palm Beach while in the area.

Palm Beach
Novotel Surfers Paradise
Novotel Surfers Paradise
4.5 out of 5
Cnr Surfers Paradise Blvd and Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise, QLD
The price is S$130 per night from 18 May to 19 May
S$130
includes taxes & fees
18 May - 19 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,221 reviews)
"Beautiful"

Reviewed on 18 Apr, 2025

Novotel Surfers Paradise
voco Gold Coast by IHG
voco Gold Coast by IHG
4.5 out of 5
31 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise, QLD
The price is S$150 per night from 22 May to 23 May
S$150
includes taxes & fees
22 May - 23 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Enjoyed our stay at Voco everything looks like the photos, service was great, breakfast buffet was great a lot of options, kids loved the two swimming pools, good fitness centre, close to the beach, public transport and restaurants."

Reviewed on 19 Apr, 2025

voco Gold Coast by IHG
Dorsett Gold Coast
Dorsett Gold Coast
4.5 out of 5
5 The Darling Avenue, Broadbeach, QLD
The price is S$149 per night from 19 May to 20 May
S$149
includes taxes & fees
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,523 reviews)
"Definitely stay again…5 star experience"

Reviewed on 19 Apr, 2025

Dorsett Gold Coast
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
5 out of 5
2669 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach, QLD
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (4,183 reviews)
"Staff were amazing! Great views, accessible to restaurants, shopping, bars and walking distance to beach."

Reviewed on 20 Apr, 2025

Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise
Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise
5 out of 5
86 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, QLD
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (844 reviews)
"Amazing property, great location and incredible views"

Reviewed on 20 Apr, 2025

Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise
Q1 Resort & Spa
Q1 Resort & Spa
4.5 out of 5
9 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,328 reviews)
"Stayed in a 3bedroom ocean view apartment on level 43 . Perfect views , rooms were big enough to accommodate the family , love the balcony space ."

Reviewed on 18 Apr, 2025

Q1 Resort & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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